31. Hayden
THIRTY-ONE
Bree
What time will you be home? Dinner’s almost ready.
Home… I love the sound of that. Until Bree, our condo felt like nothing more than the place where Brody and I came to at the end of a long day. But with Bree there, it actually feels like a home. It’s been almost two weeks since she forgave me for what happened with my dad and we went away for the Fourth of July.
And every night since we’ve returned, she’s been at our place, cooking us dinner and sleeping in our beds. When she’s not at Heart’s, she’s with us. A few times, she even brought us lunch at the office. And last weekend, we spent the entire two days holed up in the condo, ordering in, binge-watching Netflix, and inside her.
I love it, and if it weren’t for her having to go home once the kids get back, I’d never let her leave. But Bree’s a good mom, and she’s going to want to take shit slow, so they aren’t affected by her moving forward from their dad—with two guys.
Brody
Leaving now.
Brody
And so is Hayden.
As the second text comes through, Brody comes sauntering through my office doorway. I’ve only been working with him for a short time, but the difference in the environment is night and day. Unlike my dad, who acts like he wants your opinion but won’t listen, Brody values the words that come out of my mouth.
“I was thinking we should take Bree to dinner tomorrow night. She mentioned the kids will be home Monday or Tuesday, and I’m sure shit will slow down once they’re back,” he says, obviously on the same page as I am.
“Yeah, sounds good,” I say, closing my laptop. “We should make it special. Spend the night somewhere. A little mini staycation.”
Brody nods in agreement. “That could be fun. I’ll see if my parents recommend anywhere.”
“We could go to a winery,” I mention. “She loves that shit.”
“Good thinking.”
Since we work together, we share a car to and from work, which is nice. And since Bree demands—without actually doing so—that we’re home at a decent hour for dinner every night, I feel like I’ve seen more of Brody lately than I did during all the years we’ve been living together prior to Bree.
The delicious aroma coming from the kitchen has my stomach grumbling in excitement when we walk through the door. We’re met with Bree, standing at the stove, stirring something, and thoughts of our future flit through my head: her pregnant with our babies, the kids’ laughter filling the silence, her clothes occupying half the closet. Dinners and breakfasts and family trips. I never imagined wanting any of it, but I want it all with her… and Brody.
I glance at my best friend, and I can tell by the dopey expression on his face he’s thinking the same thing as me—forever with Bree looks damn good.
“Hey,” she says, “how was work?”
“Busy,” Brody says, going over and giving her a kiss on the cheek. I follow, giving her one on her neck. We both grab a beer from the fridge and lean against the island.
“How was your day?” I ask, checking out the way her shirt rises when she leans over the stove to turn it off, showing off the swells of her ass since she’s only in a pajama shirt and tiny underwear.
“So good.” She beams. “Remember how I brought samples by several bakeries last week?”
Brody convinced her to take her baked goods to the next level by distributing them to places that outsource their goods. We compiled a list, and then she created a box filled with samples to take to each business to pitch her products.
“Well, two of them called me today wanting to sign a six-month contract!” She giggles happily. “It’s going to mean more work, but with the additional income, I’ll be able to afford to hire Jessica full time to do the baking! And if I can get a few more contracts like those two, I should have no problem finding a new place to rent.”
I’m bringing my beer to my lips to take a swig, but her words stop me in my place. “Where are you going?”
She takes the pot off the stove and glances at me with a frown. “I have to be moved out of my apartment by the end of the year. I’d rather not be moving in the middle of winter, so I’m hoping to find a place soon. I haven’t looked at apartments yet, but with the additional income, I imagine I’ll be able to afford something halfway decent now.”
Brody and I share a glance. If it were up to us, the only place she and her kids would be moving to is here, but she’s not there yet.
“Congratulations,” Brody says. “I have no doubt every one of those businesses will be begging you for your baked goods. They’re like fucking crack.”
Bree rolls her eyes and laughs, handing us each a plate of food. Since it’s just the three of us, we eat at the island.
“We should celebrate,” I say. “Brody and I were thinking we could take you away tomorrow night. A quick trip before the kids come home. Think you can have someone go in for you tomorrow and Sunday?”
“Really?” She beams. “That sounds perfect. And I have someone. I’ve actually decided not to work on the weekends anymore. I’ve really enjoyed having some time to myself. I think I buried myself under my work after Pete died, and it’s been nice finding a balance. I don’t want that to stop when the kids get home, so I’ve promoted two of my part-timers to full time, one of which is in culinary school and has wanted more hours. I’ve been meaning to do it so Lacey could cut back her hours. She only came on to help me after my grandma passed away.”
“That’s good,” I tell her. “That means we get you every weekend.” I waggle my brows, but she doesn’t react how I expect her to. Instead, she frowns.
“It won’t be able to be like that once the kids are home,” she says. “You know that, right?”
“Of course, we do,” I say. “But eventually, once the kids know about us, we’ll be able to all hang out.”
She nods wordlessly but doesn’t say anything.
“Hey.” I lean over and palm her cheek. “We’ll take things slowly. You’re a mom first, and we get that.” It’s one of the things I love about her. How much she loves her kids. I can’t wait to meet them and see her with them, but I know it’ll take some time. She’s worried about how they’ll react to her moving forward and the fact that she cares enough to be worried only proves how good of a mom she is.
“Damn right we do,” Brody agrees. “And when you’re ready for us to meet them, we’ll be here.”
She smiles softly. “Thanks for understanding.”
We finish eating, and then Brody and I work together to do the dishes and clean the kitchen while Bree video chats with her kids. I’m drying a pan when my phone goes off with a text from my sister:
I can’t believe you seriously left. I didn’t take you for a quitter.
I roll my eyes at her lack of compassion. Not that it shocks me.
Me
Look at the bright side. Now Dad has no choice but to give you the CEO position.
Gretchen
I’d rather beat you fair and square.
Me
Consider it a win-win. You get to be CEO, and I get to work at a company that actually gives a shit about their employees.
Gretchen
Wait, where are you working? Dad made it seem like you were just being a brat and you’d be back.
Me
Fields… I’m done with Shea. Won’t be back.
Gretchen
All over the stupid business of some woman you’re screwing around with?
Me
There’s more to it than that. For one, she’s not just some woman. I love her.
I stare at my phone, waiting for her to text back, but apparently, I’ve shocked her to the point she’s speechless. Probably for the best. My sister might be married, but they’re far from being in love. She fits in perfectly with Shea—with my dad—since the only thing she truly loves is her job and power.
“Everything okay?” Brody asks as I pocket my phone.
“Just my sister. Dad made it seem like I’m throwing a tantrum, and I’ll be back. I told her I’m done there for good.”
Brody dries his hands on the towel and throws it to the side, leaning against the counter. “I looked into buying the building from that asshole who was harassing Bree.”
“Benitez?”
“Yeah.” He nods. “Figured if I bought it, we could turn it into luxury apartments and keep Bree’s coffeehouse.”
Fuck, why didn’t I think of that? “That’s brilliant. How’d it go?”
“I think he would’ve sold it to me, but Shea has him in with a six-month no-compete contract. Shea pays him a monthly fee during that time in exchange for him agreeing not to sell the building to anyone else. If he can’t meet Shea’s stipulation of buying Bree’s lease out, Shea can walk away, and Benitez can sell it to someone else.”
“He must’ve done that shit after I left. He’ll learn soon enough it’s not happening.” I shrug. “We should put together a proposal and present it to him as a backup option before someone else does.”
“I agree. I’m having my legal department draw something up, and I’m offering him more than Shea is.” Brody pushes off the counter and walks to the edge of the kitchen to watch Bree talk animatedly with her kids. She’s laughing and smiling and looks so damn happy.
“She’s not losing that shop,” he says. “Not if we have anything to do with it.”
“Damn right,” I agree.